Ryan Garcia’s Possible Japan Fight: Can He Battle Pacquiao or Anpo Despite NYSAC Suspension?
Tokyo – Ryan Garcia’s boxing career has recently become a whirlwind of controversy and intrigue. The 25-year-old, who was suspended for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) after a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, is now reportedly eyeing a high-profile exhibition match in Japan. The buzz around Garcia’s potential showdown with either Manny Pacquiao or Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo is creating waves across the boxing community, raising questions about the feasibility of such a fight given his suspension.
Ryan Garcia’s NYSAC Suspension: What Happened?
Garcia’s suspension stems from a positive test for Ostarine, a banned substance. This result led to a cascade of consequences: his victory over Devin Haney was overturned to a no-contest, he was fined $10,000, and he had to forfeit his fight purse of $1 million. The NYSAC’s decision, effective until April 20, 2025, prohibits him from participating in fights in New York State and potentially influences other U.S. state commissions, which often align with NYSAC rulings.
Adding to Garcia’s woes, the World Boxing Council (WBC) expelled him for inflammatory remarks made on social media. While the specifics of his WBC expulsion remain vague, it’s speculated that Garcia may face restrictions on ranking and title fights within the organization. Despite these setbacks, Garcia has remained defiant, insisting his positive test was due to contamination rather than deliberate doping.
Thereafter, he even had a face-off with Manny Pacquiao. “It’s on like donkey Kong @mannypacquiao. I love you and respect you. But a battle is a battle,”
Garcia’s Bold Move: Japan and the RIZIN Event
In the midst of his suspension, Garcia has made headlines with his audacious plans. Recently spotted at the RIZIN 3 event in Japan, Garcia was seen attending Manny Pacquiao’s exhibition bout against Rukiya Anpo. Not one to shy away from drama, Garcia took to the ring post-fight to challenge both fighters. “It’s on like donkey Kong, @mannypacquiao. I love you and respect you. But a battle is a battle,” he posted on X. Garcia also voiced his intention to face Anpo, boasting that he could knock him out in three rounds.
“The Commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction,” NYSAC’s statement read.
Can Garcia Fight in Japan?
The possibility of Garcia fighting in Japan hinges on the type of match he is considering. Professional bouts in Japan are overseen by the Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC). If Garcia aims to participate in a sanctioned professional fight, he must navigate the JBC’s regulations, which may intersect with his NYSAC suspension. The JBC’s relationship with NYSAC could play a crucial role in determining whether Garcia can legally compete.
However, if Garcia’s proposed bout is an exhibition match—similar to Pacquiao’s recent fight—he might bypass some of these regulatory hurdles. Exhibition matches often don’t fall under the same strict regulations as professional bouts, potentially allowing Garcia to compete without the immediate oversight of the JBC. Reports suggest that Garcia might be featured in an exhibition match on RIZIN’s New Year’s Eve card, a move that could sidestep the restrictions imposed by NYSAC.
“Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization,” the WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman declared on X.
“I want to fight in Japan. And I want to challenge Anpo or Manny, whoever.”
What’s Next for Garcia?
Garcia’s plans to fight in Japan are still shrouded in uncertainty. While an exhibition match could be his ticket back into the ring, the implications of his NYSAC suspension could continue to cast a long shadow over his career. The boxing world will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds, and whether Garcia’s bold ambitions will translate into a reality in the coming months.
